MOTORCYCLE – Japan’s OEMs Up Production 7.5% in May

November 23, 2005

Motorcycle manufacturers in Japan produced 119,071 units during May 2005, up 8,311 units or 7.5% from the 110,760 units produced during May 2004, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Honda produced 43,987 units during the month; Suzuki, 30,929; Yamaha, 31,377; and Kawasaki, 12,753.
For the period from January 2005 through May 2005, Japan's four major OEMs produced 749,050 units, up 6,412 units or 0.9% compared to the production of 742,638 units recorded for the same period of the previous year. Honda produced 240,446 units during the five-month period; Suzuki, 208,445; Yamaha, 208,209; and Kawasaki, 91,759.
EXPORTS
JAMA says Japan's manufacturers exported a total of 74,965 units during May 2005, up 3,201 units or 4.5% compared to 71,764 units exported during May 2004.
Total value of motorcycles exported during the month was $451.83 million, up $75.12 million or 19.9% compared to a value of $376.71 million recorded for the same month of the previous year. The exports during May 2005 included $336.48 million for vehicles and $115.35 million for parts.
Honda exported 22,835 units during May 2005; Suzuki, 19,365; Yamaha, 22,611; and Kawasaki, 10,154. Exports to the U.S. during May 2005 totaled 29,738 units, up from 28,083 units during May 2004.
For the January-May period, Honda exported 146,955 units; Suzuki, 155,107; Yamaha, 183,011; and Kawasaki, 86,438. Exports to the U.S. from Jan. 2005-May 2005 totaled 201,912 units, up from 183,261 units during the same period in 2004.